Tuesday, July 21, 2015

I Turned 40 and It Was Fabulous!

My 40th birthday has come and gone.  Today marks three weeks since entering my 40s.  I am to happy to report that I'm settling in quite comfortably.

Thank you to those of you who sent me birthday wishes on the big day!  It was lovely to hear from people near and far, from long-time friends and new virtual ones. 

This blog post is dedicated to those who asked me to share photos and stories from my time on Mackinac Island...I hope you all enjoy hearing about it!


I awoke the morning of my 40th birthday in a hotel room only 45 minutes from the Shepler's ferry dock in Mackinac City.  We wanted to be nearby to ensure a full day on the island, to make the most of our vacation.  We were delighted to discover we were booked on one of the Mighty Mack ferry rides. 

During this trip, which is only offered 2-3 times each day, the ferry takes you on a tour under the Mackinac Bridge.  This large suspension bridge spans the Straits of Mackinac to connect the Upper and Lower peninsula of the state of Michigan.  Big Mac measures 26,372 feet and is the longest suspension bridge between anchorages in the Western hemisphere.  The tour was breathtaking!


Upon docking, we were told that our suitcases were taken directly to Grand Hotel from the ferry, allowing us the freedom to relax, take in the sounds of horse hooves, and walk the streets, venturing into cute souvenir stores and fudge shops.  We were even offered a still-warm fudge sample off the marble table!  It doesn't get any fresher or more delicious than that!


We had a delicious lunch at Cawthorne's Village Inn before heading to Grand Hotel in the afternoon.  The wide-spanning greens, beautiful gardens, lawn games, and pool facility were awe-inspiring.  We had so much fun playing a family game of bocce before checking into our room and rocking on the numerous chairs that line their l-o-n-g porch. 

Once inside, I unpacked our clothes while my children and husband camped out on the balcony, watching horses and bikers pass by.  My reward came a few moments later when there was a knock on the door and a gift basket arrived full of wine, fudge, fruit and cheese!  What a lovely birthday gift!  I wasted no time joining my family on the balcony, drinking a glass of red wine before our 5-course gourmet dinner! 


The next morning we rented bikes and peddled around the 8-mile island circumference, stopping for a picnic lunch and to stack some stones on the beach.  My husband, son and oldest daughter rode individual bikes while our youngest daughter rode on a tag-along connected to my bike (trailers and toddler seats are also available to rent). 


We really enjoyed seeing Arch Rock and hiking to the top.  What an impressive natural formation it is! 


After our bike ride we walked over to Grand Hotel's stables to visit the horses, learn about the history of their carriages, and play a game of horseshoes. 

The stablehands were friendly and answered all of our questions about caring for the horses and amused my children, telling them about each horse's personality. 


Before dinner, we enjoyed a quick swim in the pool (just look at that view!) and then gave the free snowcone machine a whirl.  My children were thrilled to have dessert before dinner!


We headed downstairs to the world's largest porch (660 feet!) once we were dressed for dinner and asked one of the numerous photographers to take our family's photograph with the lake, columns and flags behind us.  What a treat it was the next day to go downstairs and look through the high-quality photographs...one might just end up in our Christmas card this year! 


After a good night's sleep, I took an early morning run.  The quiet time and seeing the scenes of the island as the sun rose was breathtaking.  

I have been coming to Mackinac Island for 40 years and have never experienced it quite like I did that morning; downtown was deserted, families of geese roamed the beaches...it was calm and serene...and all mine. 


As I rounded the corner up the hill and saw the sun greeting Grand Hotel, I couldn't help but reflect on the past year, on the 40 random acts of kindness my family completed, and all that had brought me to this special place with people I love.  It was a special moment I will always remember. 


After breakfast, our children played a game of chess on the porch, and then we packed up our suitcases to be taken to the ferry to ensure it met us back in Mackinac City where our car was parked.  Before leaving Grand Hotel, we headed to Sadie's Ice Cream Parlor to enjoy Mackinac Island fudge cones one last time. 


The kids were excited to take a carriage ride to downtown where they each picked out a souvenir (more than one horse stuffed animal made it's way home with us), and then we played a round of catch on the grass in front of Fort Mackinac.  It was bittersweet to head to the ferry dock to start our trip home...happy to head home to a life we love with such lovely memories, but very sad to see the vacation come to a close.


I have thought about our trip each day since we arrived home...and am already, if only mentally, planning our next visit to Mackinac Island. 

The kids would like to visit Butterfly House and tour Fort Mackinac again (we did so on a previous trip, but our youngest said she doesn't remember it).  I will definitely wake up early to experience a quiet run or walk as the sun rises again.  And without a doubt we will stay at Grand Hotel. 

Please feel free to comment or email me with any questions you might have about planning a trip to Mackinac Island.  I'm happy to help and would love to live vicariously through your trip until I'm able to head back there again myself.  (:

I hope this finds you all well and happy and kind! 

xo,
Shannon


Sunday, July 12, 2015

Kindness Countdown in the Press


A feature article was written about the Kindness Countdown and published in the Ozaukee News Graphic this past week.

It was an honor to spread the message of kindness within my community and share how the past year has changed my family.

Below are scanned images of the article you can click, enlarge, and read. 

On a related note, as a child of the 80s, it's quite a thrill to have an article written about me printed alongside one written about Rick Springfield!